Forward also played for an invitational touring team, the Barbarians, and twice met international opposition for Pontypool: South Africa in 1951 and New Zealand in 1954.

Forward was born in the village of Cwmavon near Pontypool in 1921 to Edwin and Sarah (née Allen).

Forward played in all four Wales' games of the tournament as a flanker, with wins over England (8–6)[9] and Ireland (14–3)[10] away, and Scotland (11–0)[11] and France (9–5)[12] at home.

[13][14] After 1952, Forward continued playing rugby at club level, and for the 1953/54 season he was selected as captain of the senior Pontypool side.

[3] He continued in his role as captain, when a joint Pontypool / Cross Keys team was selected to face the 1952/53 touring New Zealand side.

During the second half of the match Forward was almost on the score sheet with a try, when he pounced on a cross kick in the All Blacks area; but the referee disallowed it.